lief by sea. They, too, had seen the three ships off the harbor,
and they knew whence they came and for what purpose. But they had
reached the end of their journey, and had fallen short with the object
of it in sight. They were compelled to swing back and forth, while
they watched the circle of batteries pour a continuous fire upon the
crumbling fort.

After the Southern officers had taken a long look at the Union ships,
and had seen that they could do nothing, the fire on Sumter was renewed
with increased volume. It lasted all through the day and the vast crowd
of spectators did not diminish in numbers. Many of the wealthier were
in carriages. If one went away for food or refreshment another took his
place.

When the wind at times lifted the smoke, Harry saw that the wooden
buildings standing on the esplanade of the fort were burning fiercely,
set on fire by the bursting shells. The iron cisterns, too, although he
did not know it until later, were smashed, and columns of smoke from the
flaming buildings were pouring into the fort, threatening its defenders
with destruction.

Night came on, and most of the people, lining the harbor, were compelled
to go to their homes, but the fire of the Southern batteries continued,
always converging upon the scarred and blackened walls of Sumter,
from which came an occasional shot in return. Harry had now grown used
to this incessant, rolling crash. He could hear his comrades speak,
their voices coming in an under note, and now and then they discussed
the result. They agreed that Sumter was bound to fall. The Union fleet
could bring it no relief, and such a continuous rain of balls and shells
must eventually pound it to pieces.

They ate and drank after dark. They had food in abundance and
delicacies of many kinds from which to choose. Charleston poured forth
its plenty for its heroes, and in those days of fresh young enthusiasm
there was no lack of anything.

"The Yankees hold out well," said Langdon, "but I'm willing to bet a
hundred to one that nobody sleeps in that fort tonight. You can't see
the smoke of the ships any more. I suppose that for safety in the night
they've had to go further out to sea. I'm glad I'm not on one of them,
rolling and tumbling in those high waves. Well, everything is for the
best, and if Sumter doesn't fall into our laps tonight she'll fall
tomorrow, and if she doesn't fall tomorrow she'll fall the next day.
What do you say to tha